Automatic developing system



1961 c..H. TOPPlNG 2,998,175

AUTOMATIC DEVELOPING SYSTEM Eilea July 5, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 29,1961 c. H. TOPPING AUTOMATIC DEVELOPING SYSTEM P'ilea July 5, 1956 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 29, 1961 c TOPPING 2,998,175

AUTOMATIC DEVELOPING SYSTEM Eilecl July 5, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 m m EL?Aug. 29, 1961 c. H. TOPPING AUTOMATIC DEVELOPING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Film July 5, 1956 ew MNG w a N6 10 Swen 1 oom 2,998,175 AUTGMATICDEVELOPING SYSTEM Charles H. Topping, 1831 Levee St., Dallas, Tex. FiledJuly 5, 1956, Ser. No. 595,873 4 Claims. (Cl. 22643) This inventionrelates to an automatic photographic developing system and moreparticularly to a system in which drive means are controlled by aposition-sensitive system.

In the treatment of large volumes of data and the widespread use of dataconverting systems, it has been found desirable to treat automaticallyinsofar as possible the data-carrying medium. In photographicreproduction of strip charts, tables, business records and the like, itis desirable to utilize systems in which continuous production may beachieved with a minimum of supervision or control by personnel.lAutomatic film developing systems have been employed in the past whichutilize more or less fixed guides for passing elongated film stripsthrough tanks positioned successively along the path of travel of thefilm for effecting the desired developing and fixing processes. However,d-ifiiculties are encountered in prior art systems in that the film hasdifferent properties when wet than when dry. Compensation for changes inlength, for example, is a necessity in many cases.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an automaticdeveloping system in which a film strip fed at constant speed into adeveloping unit automatically is controlled to accommodate variations inlength of the film strip as it becomes moist, at the same timemaintaining substantially uniform the period of time in which any givensegment of film is in a given treating zone. Not only do the effects ofthe elongation when the film becomes moist require compensation, but atthe conclusion of the developing treatment a drying process similarlyeffects dimensional changes which also must be compensated.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an automatictreating system for a photographic strip in which independent drivemeans are provided for each of a plurality of treating zones with meanssensitive to the position of the strip in each zone for controlling therespective drive means.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is providedan automatic developer comprising an input drive for a photographicstrip and an output drive therefor in which said output drive has anormal speed in excess of that of said input drive and a second speedless than the normal speed of the input drive. Means sensitive to theposition of the photographic strip in said zone are provided selectivelyto change the speed of said output drive from one to the other of saidnormal and second speeds.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention there isprovided a photographic film strip drying zone in which a rotatableheating drum is positioned by said strip and drive means at the outputof said zone with control means for selectively varying the position ofsaid drum while maintaining it constantly in rotation during its operation. Further there are provided means for assuring uniform dryingtreatment of said strip both longitudinally and laterally.

For a further understanding of the invention and for a more completedescription thereof, reference may now be had to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of the present invention including acamera system;

FIG. 2 is a detailed isometric drawing of one of the treating zones ofFIG. v1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the bottom of one of thetreating tanks of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view with the Submerging roll of FIG. 3 in anelevated position;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a five tank developing unit;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the drying mechanism taken along the line66 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7 is a view of one-half of the drying mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the drying mechanism taken along the line 8-8 ofFIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a detailed schematic diagram of the control and power system.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a reproducing system inwhich a roll 10 such as a strip chart or data containing medium is to bephotographically reproduced. The chart is passed between a pair ofrollers 11 past a slit 12 and thence to a take up roll 13. A pluralityof lights 14 in a light-tight housing 15 illuminates the slit 12 andthus the chart 10 as it passes the slit. A camera lens system 16projects the image appearing on slit 12 through an aperture 17 and ontoa photosenstive surface such as a film strip 18 from a supply roll 18a.The drive roll 19 for the strip chart 18 is powered by a motor 29 whichis so designed that the speed of the film or chart 18 will bear apredetermined relation with respect to the speed of the original chart10.

In practice with the lens 16 in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 thechart 18 will move at the same speed as chart 10 so that a 1:1 or fullsize reproduction of the chart 10 will be efiected. However, it will benoted that a second lens may be employed at a position 22 to project theimage appearing in slit 12 onto the film through a slit or baffle 23.When this is the case, the film 18 will be driven by motor 20a atone-half the speed of film 10 to effect a one-half size reproduction ofthe original char-t 10. In either case, however, the film ordinarily isdriven from the camera section 25 to a developer unit 24 at one or theother of two speeds both of which are constant.

The film 18 is threaded over a series of rolls into each of five tanks.Tank 26 is a developing tank containing a suitable developing solution;tank 27 is a fixing tank; tank 28 contains a neutralizer solution; andtanlm 29 and 30 contain wash solutions. At the output side of each oftanks 26, 27, 28 and 30 there are provided drive rolls, the final drive31 being positioned at the output of tank 30. The drive rolls areindividually powered by suitable motors such as motor 32 which iscoupled to drive roll 31. More particularly, the motor 33 actuates adrive roll to remove film from tank 26. Motor 34 actuates a drive rollto remove or extract film from tank 27. Motor 35 actuates a drive rollto remove film from tank 28. An idler roll such as roll 26b is providedin each of the tanks 26-30. Submerging rolls such as rolls 26a and 26care provided in each of the treating tanks, Thus the film orphotographic strip 18 will be threaded over the guide and drive rollswith the Submerging rolls such as rolls 26a and 26c supported by thefilm intermediate the guide and drive rolls.

The film chart 18 proceeding from drive roll 31 at the output of tank 30is passed over a drying roll 39 to drive roll 40 and thence to a take uproll 41. Drive roll 40 like roll 31 is motor driven as by motor 42.

In accordance with the present invention the motors 33, 34, 35, 32 and42 are so controlled that any dimensional changes in the film strip areautomatically compensated. This is accomplished by suitably gearing thedrive connection between the motors 33, 34, 35, 32 and 42 to theirrespective driving rolls such that each drive roll normally is driven ata speed slightly in excess of the speed of the roll preceding it. Themotor for each such drive is then turned on and off or otherwise isspeed-controlled in dependence upon the position of the Submerging rollssuch as submerging rolls 26a and 26c. The principle of operation maybest be understood by referring specifically to the systemdiagrammatically illustrated for the control of motor 32. Power isprovided from source 44 by connecting line 45 directly to motor 32. Line46 is connected by way of a switch 47 and conductor 48 to the secondterminal of motor 32. The switch 47 is opened and closed in dependenceupon the position of 'the submerging roll'50. More particularly, theswitch lever 51 carries a bracket 52 which is sensitive to the positionof submerging roll 50. In the form illustrated in FIG. 1 an arm 53attached or otherwise actuated by the submerging roll 50 is adapted toclose the switch 47 in a bottom position thereby to stant motor 32.Since motor 32 normally drives roll 31 at a higher peripheral speed thanthe roll coupled to motor 35, the film strip 18 will be withdrawn fromtanks 29 and 30 more rapidly than it is fed thereinto and thus thesubmerging roll 50 will be carried upward in the loop formed by strip'18. As submerging roll 50 rises, the arm 53 contacts the upper arm ofbracket 52 to open switch 51, thereby stopping motor 32. As the filmcontinues to be fed into tanks 29 and 30, the weight of the submergingroll 50 then causes it to sink as it pulls the strip 18 over the rollsystem until switch 47 is again closed. Thus there is provided a proportioning action for the output drive from the tanks 29 and 30 which innormal operation will be characterized by sequential energizing andde-energizing the strip extracting apparatus.

In a similar fashion the motor 42 which pulls the film 1 8 over thedrying roll 39 is controlled by switch 56. The latter switch is turnedon and off in response to the position of the drying roll 39 to controlmotor 42. When energized, motor 42 pulls strip 18 at a higher speed thandelivered to the drying section by the roll 31.

Thus in each treating zone there is provided a proportioning action inwhich theposition of a gravity controlled roll is sensed to control theoutput speed at which the film is extracted from a given treating zone.In FIG. 1 the switches 47 and '56 have been shown as controlled by amechanical linkage between them and the gravity controlled submergingroll 50 and the drying roll 39, respectively. Weight 57 supported by acable threaded over a pulley 58 urges drying roll 39' upward to maintainstrip 18 in tension at all times.

-In positioning of the drying roll 39, a mechanical linkageschematically represented in one form for control of switch 56 in FIG. 1may be employed. However since fluids are involved in the treating tanks2630, it is desirable to locate the circuit controlling components out-.side of such zone. It is necessary, however, to sense the rollspositioned inside the zone.

One embodiment of the invention as embodied in wet treating zones isillustrated in FIG. 2. A single treating tank 70 has been shown with afeed drive roll 71 cooperating with a squeegee roll 72 to feed a strip18 into the tank. For the purpose of FIG. 2, the drive roll 71 will beassumed to be driven at a constant speed. The strip 18 passes downwardlyinto the tank where it supports a positioning roll 74. The strip thenpasses over an idler roll 75 and down again into the tank where itsupports a second positioning roll 76. The strip 18 is then threadedover a roll 77 which in cooperation with a squeegee roll 78 serves toremove the strip from the treating tank 70. The extracting roll 77 isdriven by a motor 79. It is to be noted that the developing tank 70 isprovided with channels 81 and 82 for guiding end members '83 and 84which are carried by submerging rolls 74 and 76, respectively. A sourceof power 87 is connected by Way of conductor 88 to motor 79 and also byWay of a mercury switch 89 and conductor 90. The circuit breaker orswitch 89 is thus position sensitive in its control of motor 79. Whenswitch 89 is closed, motor 79 actuates rolls 77 and 78 to withdraw thestrip 18 from the tank 70. Preferably the linkage between motor 79 andthe roll 77, represented by dotted line 79a, will be adapted to driveroll 77 at a peripheral speed normally greater than the peripheral speedof roll 71. The linkage 79a includes a gear box or speed reducer of anywell known type, particular examples of preferred embodiments beinghereinafter identified.

The position sensitive control for switch 89 and the actuating mechanismtherefor are shiwn in greater detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. The tank 70',FIG. 3, is partially shown in section with the submerging roll 76positioned near the bottom of the tank and supported or cradled in aloop of the strip 18. Tank 70 preferably is of non-magnetic material. Aguide block 84 is carried by the end of the submerging roll 76 andcomprises an elongated rectangular block preferably made of anon-magnetic. material. A handle bar 84a extends inward from the upperend. of member 84. A shaft 76a forming a part of the roll 76 extendsthrough a bearing 84b in member 84. A clip ring or keeper 840 on the endof shaft 76a maintains the coupling to block 84. The lower end of member84 has a small permanent magnet 84d embedded therein with the polesthereof closely adjacent the face e of member 84. Thus the poles ofmagnet 84d face the side of the tank 70. The magnet 84d is utilized tosense the position of the submerging roll alternately to open and closeswitch 89. The switch 89 of the mercury pool type is mounted on theupper end of an arm 89a which is pivoted on a shaft 8% for rotationabout a horizontal axis which is perpendicular to the axis of shaft 76a.Alternatively, switch 89 may be mounted at the axis 8% as shown in FIG.2. The upper end of arm 89a carries a permanent magnet 890. Similarly,the lower end of arm 8% carries a permanent magnet 89d.

In operation the su bmerging roll 76 will initially be descending asstrip 18 is fed into a tank and will first cooperate with the switch 89and its supporting means in the position shown in FIG. 4. The switch 89is open by reason of the mercury bath, being positioned at the front ofthe mercury switch bulb. Magnet 84d attracts magnet 890 into a positionin contact with the side of tank 70. With switch 89 open, motor 79 ofFIG. 2 is deenergized so that as strip 18 is fed into the tank thesubmerging roll 76 constitutes its downward course. Switch 89 remainsopen until the submerging roll 76 reaches the position shown in FIG. 3.When the lower position is reached, magnet 84d attracts magnet 89d,rotating arm 89a about axis 8917, thereby causing the mercury in switch89 to close the contacts thereby energizing motor 79. Since rolls 77,FIG. 2, driven by motor 79 extracts the strip 18 from the tank 70 morerapidly that it is fed thereto, the submerging roll 76 rises duringperiods switch 89 is closed until it reaches the position shown in FIG.4 whereupon switch 89 is opened. During the operation of the system thesubmerging roll 76 continues to oscillate between the limits defined bythe length of the arm 89a. The two extreme positions of the submergingroll are shown in FIG. 4, the lower one being dotted.

In one aspect therefore the present invention will now be understood asinvolving a feed roll and an extracting roll at the input and at theoutput respectively of a treating zone with the extracting roll normallydriven at a speed greater than that of the feed roll. The position of astrip supported member is then sensed at the extremities of a controltraverse respectively to open and close the energizing means for theextracting roll.

The foregoing description has considered only those operations involvedin maintaining a continuous developing operation once it has been .setinto motion. In FIGS. 5-9 there is illustrated a system for automaticinitiation and termination of a developing operation as well as theintermediate operations above set forth. More particularly, the systemwill be so constructed that strip 18 from the camera of FIG. 1 mayinitially be unrolled so that it extends substantially horizontally fromthe first roller in tank 26 to the last roll 40 in the drying section.The submerging and squeegee rolls will then be placed 5.5 in theirrespective positions on top of strip 18. The application of powerthereafter to the camera and developer will initiate all operationsnecessary to complete develop ment and drying, including submerging ofthe strip 18 in each tank or zone and elevation over the drying roll.Upon removal of the power driving the strip 18 in the camera section ofFIG. 1, the developing unit will continue to be operative until thestrip is again substantially horizontal, with all submerging rollsremoved from their respective tanks and the drying roll latched in afinal position. Coincident with the latter event, all operations areautomatically terminated.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a side view of a five tankdeveloper showing the arrangement of drive motors 3235 and a pluralityof position dependent switches which are used for controlling the drivemotors. Where consistent, like parts have been given the same referencecharacters as in FIG. 1. Chart 18 is shown as in an intermediate stageof the developing operation and is fed over a first roll 100 into thefirst tank 26 and under a submerging roll 26a, shown dotted, thence overan idler roll 26b and under a second submerging roll 2.60. It is thendriven from tank 26 over a roll mounted on shaft 101 which in turn isdriven by motor 33 through belt 33a.

In tank 27 the chart is threaded under a submerging roll 27a, over anidler roll 2711 near the tank top and under a second submerging roll270. The chart is driven from tank 27 over a roller mounted on shaft 102which is driven from motor 34 by belt 34a. Similarly, in tank 28 thechart passes under submerging roll 28a, over idler roll 28b and undersubmerging roll 28c. Motor 35, through belt 35a, drives shaft 103 toremove the chart from tank 28. In tank 29 the chart is threaded undersubmerging roll 29a, over idler roll 2% and under submerging roll 2%.The chart is then threaded over an idler roll 104 intermediate tanks 29and 30 and thence under submerging roll 30a in tank 30, over idler roll30b, at the top of tank 30, and under a final submerging roll 30c. Thechart 18 is then driven from tank 30 by motor 32 which is coupled bybelt 32a to shaft 105. Squeegee roll 106 cooperating with the roll onshaft 105 serves to provide the necessary wiping and friction forremoving the chart 18. It will be understood that squeegee rolls such asroll 106 will be provided as to cooperate with the driving rolls onshafts 101, 102 and 103, though the squeegee rolls have been omittedfrom FIG. 5.

The control action described in connection with FIG. 2 is followed ineach of the treating zones of FIG. 5. More particularly, the submergingroll 26a travels along a vertical path in tank 26 under the control ofthe chart 18. It is provided with a suitable guide-way either formed bythe side of the tank as shown in FIG. 2 or by guide strips fastened tothe inside of the tank. Similar guide ways are provided for each of thesubmerging rolls 260, 27a and 270, 28a and 28c, 29a and 2.90 and 30a and300.

A circuit breaker 110 mounted adjacent the travel path of the roll 26aand on the outside of tank 26. More particularly, a bracket 111 ismounted near the bottom of tank'26 on a frame member 112 and supports arod or pivot bar 113. A magnet 114 is mounted on the upper end of pivotbar 113. A similar magnet 115 is mounted on the lower end of pivot bar113. The bar is supported by means not shown but forming a part of thestructure of bracket 111 so that the pivot bar 113 may rotate about ahorizontal axis 116.

When submerging roll 26a descends in tank 26 as chart 18 is fedthereinto, it carries with it a magnetic element (84d, FIG. 3) whichpasses magnet 114. The magnetic pull on element 114 rotates bar 113about axis 116. When in the latter position, the circuit breaker 110 isopen. As submerging roll 26a descends further, past the positionillustrated in FIG. 5 to a point where magnet 115 is attracted towardtank 26, the switch 110 is closed to apply an energizing voltage tomotor 33. The particu lar circuits for carrying out this operation aredescribed in connection with the schematic diagram of FIG. 9. However,the operation of the circuit controlling unit including circuit breakeris as described in detail in connection With FIG. 2.

t should be noted that a second circuit controlling unit includingcircuit breakers and 121 is supported midway along the tank by a bracket1 22 to be sensitive to the position and to the motion of the submergingroll 26c. Additionally, circuit breakers 123 and 124 are supported by abracket 125 to be sensitive to the position of submerging roll 26a,circuit breakers 123 and 124 being located near the top of tank 26.Breakers 120-124 are provided for fully automatic operation as will beexplained in connection with FIG. 9.

Tank 27 is provided with circuit breaker which is responsive to theposition of submerging roll 27c and operative near the lower end of tank27. Additionally, circuit breakers 131 and 132 positioned near the topof tank 27 are sensitive to the position of the submerging roll 27a.

Tank 28 is provided with circuit breaker which is sensitive to theposition of submerging roll 28c at the bottom of the tank. Circuitbreakers 141 and 142 are supported as to be sensitive to the position ofsubmerging roll 28a at the top of tank 28.

Tank 29 is provided with two circuit breakers 145 and 146 which aresupported as to be sensitive to the position of submerging roll 29a. Thepositions of submerging rolls 29c and 30a are not sensed for any controlpurpose in the present invention since tanks 29 and 30 are both washtanks and comprise a single treating zone as that term is used in thepresent application. However, tank 30 is provided with circuit breaker150 and circuit breaker 151 which are supported by a bracket 152 nearthe bottom of the tank 30 as to be sensitive to the position of thesubmerging roll 300.

From the standpoint of operation, the system illustrated in FIG. 5 maybest be understood by referring to the detailed circuit diagram of FIG.9. However, it will be of assistance if it is noted that a circuit isopened or is closed for a control purpose whenever a submerging rollmoves into such position that the magnet such as magnet 84d, FIG. 3,associated with a given submerging roll arrives at the elevation of themagnet associated with a particular circuit breaker.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate the system for treatment of the chart 18 as itpasses from the developer of FIG. 5 into a drying zone whereinoperations are controlled in dependence upon the position of a dryingcylinder so that the drying process will produce a completed film whichis uniform not only photographically but also mechanically as by properdrying. The product of the entire operation will be characterized byfreedom from wrinkling at the edges and otherwise will be comparablemechanically to the original stock fed to the developing or treatingsystem.

As shown in FIG. 6, the chart 18 leaving the roll on shaft 105 and thesqueegee roll 106 is passed over a heated drum or cylinder and thenceover the roll 40 driven by motor 42 to a take-up reel 41. As best seenin FIG. 7 which shows one-half of the drying zone, the drying roll 160is adapted to be moved vertically under the control of a counter weight57 which is supported by a cable 162 threaded over pulley 58. Cable 162is attached at the end thereof to a guide follower 163. The drum 160 issupported on guide follower 163 so that as shaft 105 is actuated todrive chart 18 to the drying zone the drum 160 will travel upwardlyunder the influence of weight 57 to maintain chart 18 in tension,

The drying unit includes an outer framework 166 which is provided with aguide flange 167. Carriage means including the guide follower 163 isprovided with rollers 168 which follow the edges of the flange 167 inthe vertical path. As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the guide follower 7 v 163is provided with a transverse bar 169 at the lower end thereof.

The bar 169 supports shafts 170 and 171 at its extremities. The shafts170 and 17 1 support rollers 172 and 173, respectively. -As shown inFIG. 7, shaft 170 is provided with a stop bushing 174. Shaft 171similarly is provided with a stop bushing.

Roller 172 has a lip or annular extension on the end adjacent the stop174. As shown in FIG. 6, the heating drum 160 is supported by rollers172 and 173 and thus rotates freely thereon. The end of the drum 160 asviewed in FIG. 7 coincides with the face of the extension or lip on theroller 172 and maintains the drum in proper axial position. Thussupported, drum 160 will freely rotate under forces applied thereto bychart 11 8.

The guide follower 163 is provided with a second bar 180 at the axis ofthe cylinder 160. A pair of shafts 131 and 182 secured to the ends ofbar 180 extends through the cylinder and supports two end plates one ofwhich, the plate 183, is positioned at the cylinder end adjacent guidefollower 163. Plate 183 forms a closure for the end of cylinder 160 andat the same time provides a support for electrical heating elements,three of which, the elements 184, 185 and .186, are shown in PEG. 7. Twoadditional elements 187 and 188 are shown in the sectional view of FIG.6. The elements are positioned closely adjacent the surface of thecylinder 160 and when energized by a suitable heating current radiateheat to the drum 160.

A heat barrier or baffle 190 is supported inside cylinder 160 and asbest seen inFIG. 6 comprises a thin annular ring which encircles theheaters 184183. The baffle 190 is relatively short in length compared tothe cylinder 160 and is mounted on shafts 181 by means of bracket .191as to permit slide movement. More particularly, bracket 191 extendsdiametrically across the cylindrical baffle 190 and is provided withapertures to receive shafts 181 and 182. A handle 192 in the form of anelongated U-shaped rod is fastened to an extension 193 of bracket 191and extends over the surface of drum 160. The tip 194 of the handle 192is in the plane of the inner edge of the bafile 190.

The bafile 190 serves to temper the heat applied to drum 160 fromelements 1-84188 at the edge of the chart 18. As chart 18 is fed ontodrum 160, it is wet from the treating zone. Over the middle portion ofthe chart the heat stored in the drum 160 is dissipated during dryingsubstantially uniformly. However, absent the baffle 190, the heatingeffect at the edges of the chart 18 would be much different than at thecenter thereof. Non-uniform drying at the center relative to the edgesof strip charts would produce wrinkling of the edges. In avoidance ofsuch action bafile 190 is positioned so that the tip 194 overlies theedge of the chart 13 to the extent necessary to assure the uniformity inthe rate of heat transfer from the drum 160 to the chart 18 over theentire width thereof.

The control of motor 42 which drives or extracts the chart 18 from thedrying zone is controlled along with other control functions by a pin200 fastened to the lower end of the guide follower 163. Moreparticularly, a switching arm 201 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 202.Circuit breakers 203 and 204 are mounted for rotation with the arm 201.As shown in FIG. 7, if the guide follower 163 moves downwardly, the arm201 is rotated clockwise so that the circuit breaks 203 and 204- are ina different attitude than that shown in FIG. 7, the arm 201 being tiltedby pin 200 engaging the lower end thereof. Similarly, as the guidefollower 163 travels upwardly, the upper end of the bar 201 engages pin200 and is moved back to the position shown in FIG. 7. A similarmechanism including bar 206 and circuit breakers 207 and 208 are mountedat an intermediate point along the frame 166. A bar 210 carrying asingle switch or circuit breaker 211 is mounted near the top of theframe 166. Switches 207, 208 and 211 all will be actuated in dependenceupon the position of the guide follower 163 as it carries drum 160 thelength of frame 166 all under the control of motors 32 and 42 to performcontrol functions to be described in connection with FIG. 9.

Having described the physical structure of the developing and dryingsystems shown in FIGS. 5-8, there will nowbe described the electricalsystem for controlling the automatic developing operations. Whereconsistent, like parts have given the same reference characters as inFIGS. 1 and 5-8.

Electrical power is provided from a suitable source which is represented-by the 110 volt supply 300. One terminal of supply 300 is illustratedas connected to ground by conductor 301 for the purpose of the system ofFIG. 9. It is understood, however, that in an actual embodiment of thesystem a continuous conductor will interconnect and thereby functionallyreplace all ground points. The supply 300 is connected by way ofconductor 302 and switch 302a to a four circuit selector switch 303. Thefirst terminal of the selector switch is an Off position. The secondterminal is provided for Cut-over operation, i.e., operation whenneither motor 20 or 20a is energized to drive film through the camerasection but wherein treatment of exposed film formed in loops andimmersed in the developing tanks is completed. When switch 303 is inposition No. 3, motor 20 is energized to drive the film 18 from thecamera section 25 into the developer section 24. When switch 303 is inposition No. 4, motor 20a is energized to drive film 18 from the camerasection of the system.

Conductor 304 leads from the second terminal of switch 303 to the armsof switches 123 and 124. The upper terminal of switch 124 is connectedto the arms of switches 131 and 132. Similarly, the upper terminal ofswitch 132 is connected to the arms of switches 141 and 142; the upperterminal of switch 142 is connected to the arms of switches 145 and 146;and the upper terminal of switch 145 is connected. by way of conductor305 to the arm of switch 203.

The third terminal of switch 303 is connected to motor 20. Conductor 302is connected, by way of conductors 310 and 311, to the arm of switch byway of conductor 312 to the arm of switch by way of conductor 313 to thearm of switch and by way of conductor 314 to the arms of both switches150 and 151 to provide energizing paths for motors 32-35.

Such energizing paths selectively will be completed by connecting theupper terminal of switch 121 and the lower terminal of switch 120, as byconductor 315, to motor 33 and to the lower terminal of switch 123.Similarly, the lower terminal of switch 130 is connected by way ofconductor 316 to motor 34 and to the lower terminal of switch 131; thelower terminal of switch 140 is connected by way of conductor 317 tomotor 35 and to the lower terminal of switch 141; and the lower terminalof switch 150 is connected by way of conductor 318 to motor 32, to thelower terminal of switch 146 and to the arm of switch 208.

The dashed lines leading from motors 3235 represent mechanicalconnections or driving connections to the rolls which are in contactwith the strip 18. The driving connection between motors 20 and 20a hasbeen illustrated as a unitary coupling leading to the roll 19.

Conductor 310 extends to the motor of a fan 320 which is located in thedrying section of the system and which is adapted to direct air currentsdownwardly onto the strip 18 as it passes over drying roll 160.Conductor 310 also is connected to the arm of a switch 211. The upperterminal of switch 211 is connected by Way of con ductor 321 to motor 42which serves to drive the extracting roll 40 and a take up roll 41 atthe completion of the drying process. The upper terminal of switch 211is connected by way of conductor 322 to the upper terminal of switch 203and by way of conductor 323 to the arm of switch 207. The upper terminalof switch 207 is 9 connected by way of conductor 324- to the right handor normally closed terminal of a switch 325 which is actuated by relaycoil 326. The arm of switch 325 'is'connected to the upper terminal ofswitch 151.

Current for heating the radiant elements described'in FIGS. 68 asmounted in drum 160 is applied by way of a double pole, double throwswitch controlled by a solenoid coil 33%. The upper terminal of switch331 is connected to a 220 volt or high energy source 332. The upperterminal of switch 333- is similarly connected to source 332. The lowerterminal of switch 331 is connected to ground, and the lower terminal ofswitch 333 is connected to the lower terminal of switch 204. The arms ofswitches 331 and 333 are connected respectively to the terminals of theheating elements in drum 160. Switches 331 and 333 normally are in theposition shown in FIG. 9 so that current applied to the heaters will befrom the 110 volt source 300 by way of switch 204. When relay coil 330is energized, current is supplied to heaters in drum 160 from the highvoltage source 332.

For initial or warm up operation a preset control 340 is provided.Control 340 is utilized to determine the length the time interval switch342 is to be maintained closed after it is closed initially by manualoperation. The arm of switch342 is connected by way of conductor 343 toconductor 310. The contact on switch 342 is connected to relay 330 andto a timer control mechanism by conductor 344. A proportional timer 350is provided periodically to actuate relay 330 for controlling theproportion of the time that current may flow of strip 18 actuallyintersects the drum 169, the periphery of which therefore will describeor form the outline of an arcuate portion or segment of the normal pathof strip 18 Thus when drum 160 is released by retraction of solenoidarmature 361, the drum would already be in contact with strip 18 andwould not exert any undue iorces thereon With the strip 18 thuspositioned, two manual operations are required to place the system inoperation: ('1) Switch 302a is closed and selector switch 303 is placedin the No. 3 position. Motor 20 is thereby energized to start movementof chart 18 over roller 19, and (2) Switch 342 manually will be closedin theheating section to apply power from conductor 3161 to the relaycoil 330. Thus the high voltage source is immediately connected to theheating elements to bring them up to initial temperature. The preheatcontrol 340 after a preset time will open switch 342 to de-ener-gize therelay 331 In the latter condition standby heating power is appliedthrough conductor 311), switch 204 and switch 333 to the heatingelements.

As strip 18 proceeds over roll 19, the submerging roll 26a descends intothe first treating zone. As it passes switches 12 3 and 124 it actuatesthem to move their arms into contact with their lower terminals. As roll2611 continues to descend to the bottom of the first travelfrom source332 to the heaters in drum 160. The con- I tact arm 351 is variable inposition relative to drum 352 which figuratively represents aproportional commutator or circuit breaker. The upper terminal of switch204 is connected by way of conductor 353 to a timing motor in unit 350and to the positionally fixed contact of the commutator 352.

The lower terminal of switch 268 is connected to a solenoid 360 which,when energized, actuates an armature 361 to release a latching bar 362which mechanically is coupled to the drum 160 in the mannerdiagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 9, a more specific showing beingprovided in FIG. 6. The latch 362 normally will arrest drum 160 as toprevent travel upwards in response to tension on cable 162.

The system described thus far is involved in operations relating to theproduction of a 1:1 or full size replica of a positive introduced intothe camera section of FIG. 1.

When the selector switch 303 is in the fourth position, power issupplied from the source 300 to motor 20a, to the armature of switch 110and to the relay 326 by way of conductor 37%. The lower terminal ofswitch 110 is connected to the armature of switch 121 by way ofconductor 371. The latter elements are provided for operation with theelements of FIG. 9 previously described to produce one-half sizereproductions of a postive introduced into the camera section of FIG. 1.

There will now be described the sequence of operations necessary tocarry out an automatic developing process for a 1:1 or full sizereproduction.

Preparatory thereto the camera of FIG. 1 will be provided with thedesired positive. The film negative to be exposed, forming roll 18a,FIG. 1, will be threaded along a normal path shown in FIG. 9, whereinstrip 18 passes over rolls 19, 26b, 27b, 28b, 104, as well as the drivero l-ls ing zone and to the location of switch 110, it actuates switchto close it. (Since switch 110 is energized only for half-sizereproduction, no action takes place upon closure thereof.) Duringdescent of roll 26a, roll 26c remains stationary because of frictionnormally present in the bearings in idler roll 26b. When roll 26a comesto rest, roll 26c begins to descend. As roll 26c reaches switches and121, it closes both switches 120 and 121 to apply power(throughconductors 310, 311 and switch'12tl) to motor 33. Thereuponmotor 33 begins to drive the roll mounted on axis 101 to extract strip18 from the first treating zone and to feed it onto the second treatingzone.

As earlier described, the speed at which strip 13 is extracted from azone exceeds the speed it is fed thereto so that when motor 33 becomesenergized the submerging roll 260 will begin to ascend. As it rises, itwill cause both switches 12% and 121 to be moved to their upperterminals at which position motor 33 is de-energized. With extraction ofstrip 18 stopped, submerging roll 26c begins descent, operates switches120, 121 to energize motor 33 to resume extraction of strip 13, etc. Theswitching action is as described in detail in connection with FIG. 2with the traverse of submerging roll 25c determined by the length of bar89a, FIG. 2.

In the second treating zone submerging roll 27a first actuates switches131 and 132 connecting the arms to the bottom terminals thereof.Thereafter submergi-ng roll 27c actuates switch for selectivelyenergizing motor 34 which in turn extracts the strip 18 from the secondtreating zone. Roll 270 then alternately opens and closes switch 130 asabove described. Submerging roll 28a in descent moves the arms ofswitches 141 and 142 to their lower terminals. After roll 28a comes torest at the bottom or its path, subme-rging roll 280 in its descentactuates switch which energizes motor 35 to extract the photographicstrip from the third treating zone.

In the final treating zone submerging roll 2% actuates switches 145 and146 in its descent. After roll 2% reaches the bottom of its path, roll30c actuates switches 151) and 151 in its descent to energize motor 62.At the same time, relay 360 is energized by way of switch 208 to unlatchelement 362. Wherenpon the drying cylinder ascends in contact with thephotographic strip 18 and maintains strip 18 in tension. Thus as thestrip 18 is fed from roll .105 into the drying zone, upward movement ofthe drying drum is permitted. As the drum moves upwardly, it actuatesswitches 293 and 204 1 1 through cooperation of pin 200, FIG. 7, and arm201. When switch 204 is connected to the upper terminal, the timer 350is energized periodically to connect the heating elements in drum 160 tothe high voltage source 332.

As the strip 18 continues to be fed to the drying zone, drum 160continues upward movement and in its course actuates switches 207 and208 connecting the arms there of to their upper terminals. With switch208 thus opened, the solenoid coil 360 is tie-energized and voltage isremoved from coil 360. If switch 150'is then connected to its upperterminal, as drum 160 actuates switch 207 power will be applied to motor42 over a path including conductors 319, 314, switches 151, 325,conductor 324, switch 207, conductors 323 and 321. If switch 151 isconnected to its lower terminal, conductor 324 is not energized and drum160 will continue its upward travel until it closes switch 211 throughcooperation between pin 200, FIG. 7, and bracket 210. Since the arm ofswitch 211 is connected to conductor 310, closure of switch 211 willapply power to motor 42.

When motor 42 is energized, roll 40 extracts strip 18 from the dryingzone at a rate in excess of that fed to the drying zone by the roll onshaft 105. Thus drum 160 begins to descend and will open switch 2111,thereby stopping the extraction of strip 18, and reverse direction inits travel, etc.

Fan 320 positioned above drum 160 continuously directs a blast of airdownwardly over the strip 18 as it is looped over drum 1 60* further toeffect drying action. With the operation thus far described, automaticdeveloping and drying will continue to be carried out so long as motor20 is energized to feed strip 18 to the system. In one embodiment forfull size reproduction strip 18 was fed to the developing, system at aspeed of 6 feet per minute. Each of the extracting rolls in thesuccessive zones was driven at speeds slightly in excess of the speed ofthe preceding roll. Similarly, the roll 40 at the output of the dryingzone was adjusted for a speed slightly in excess of that of the roll onshaft 105. The developing operation, it will now be appreciated, ischaracterized by independent and cyclic starting and stopping of each ofmotors 3235 and 4 2 with motor 20 continuously energized to drive thestrip 18 into the system at a uniform speed.

The switches 207 and 211 were both provided to prevent the possibilityof the strip 18 ever becoming stationary on drum 160. Should such aconcatenation of events take place that simultaneously all of motors32-35 become de-energized at the same time, then with motor 42de-energized the drum 160 would be stationary and the strip 18 wouldpossibly be damaged by over-heating as to produce a burned or scorchedsection. By providing the switches 207 and 211, the period of timerequired for actuating them is sufiicient that drum 160 may continuouslybe in motion over a period suflicient to re-energize all of motors 32-35 should they all become stopped at the same time. The latter actionobtains because conductors 324 and 310 leading to switches 207 and 211,respectively, both are connected to source 300- when motors 3235 aredeenergized.

To discontinue the operation and automatically return the system to thenormal condition shown in FIG. 9, switch 303 is moved to the Cut-Overposition (No. 2) in which case power is applied to the strip drivesystern by way of conductor 304 as well as by way of conductor 310. Itwill be remembered that the arms of all of switches 123, 124, 131, 132',141, 142, 145 and 146 contact their respective lower terminals duringthe developing operation. Therefore movement of switch 303 from thethird to the second position will merely deenergize motor 20 todiscontinue the movement of strip 18 into the first zone in thedeveloper. However, motor 33 is energized through switch 123. As motor33 conuinues to drive the strip chart from the first treating zone,

submerging roll 260 is raised from the zone to the position shown inFIG. 9. Roll 26c may pass switch because of the power circuit throughswitch 123 to motor 33. Thereafter the first submerging roll 26a isremoved and as it proceeds upward it actuates switches 123 and 124 whichthereby applies power from conductor 304 to the arms of switches 131 and132 and de-energizes motor 33. Thereafter motors 34, 35 and 32 and 42are successively energized through conductor 304. More particularly,rolls 27c and then 27a are removed from the second treating zonewhereupon switches 13-1 and 132 are connected to their upper terminalsto de-energize motor 34. In a similar manner roll 28c and then roll 28aare extracted from the third treating zone and thereafter rolls 30c and29a are extracted from the fourth treating zone. When roll 29a isremoved, power is applied by way of the upper terminal of switch 145,conductor 305 and the switch 203 to the motor 42 so that the lattermotor will operate to remove strip 18- from the drying zone. Switch 203is closed so long as drum is in a position above it. Thus motor 42 willcontinue to extract the roll from the drying section until drum 160 ispulled down by the motor driven strip 18 to its latched position and tosuch a position that pin 200, FIG. 7, cooperating with bracket 201 willmove switches 203 and 204 to their lower positions. Opening switch 203stops motor 42' and the timing mechanism 350 preventing application ofpower from source 332 to the heating elements in drum 160. Closure ofswitch 2104 applies standby power from source 300' to the heatingelements in drum 160 so long as the switch 302a is closed. Thus thecycle of operations is completed.

There will now be described the operations for producing one-half sizereproductions insofar as that operation differs from the foregoing.

Switch 300 is placed in position No. 4 which energizes motor 20a appliespower to the arm of switch 110 and energizes the closed relay 326 toopen switch 325. Thus as strip 18 is driven over roll 19 at one-halfspeed (about 3 feet per minute) roll 26a begins to descend, actuatingswitches 123 and 124. As roll 26a reaches switch 110, it closes itapplying power to motor 33 by way of switch 110, conductor 371, switch121 and conductor 315. Thus the motor 33 will extract the strip 18 fromthe first zone (the developing zone). The time interval during which anysegment of the film may remain in the developing solution is the sametime interval as in the full size reproduction, compensation having beenmade for the differences in speed. The remaining operations areidentical with those above described except that the motor 32 will notbe energized through switch 207 since switch 325 is open. Switch 211then solely controls the proportioning action of motor 42. The timeintervals the motors are energized and the order of events are such thatthe probability is that all motors 32--35 would never be stoppedsimultaneously for any period of time greater than that required fortravel of pin 200 over the length of bracket 210.

In one embodiment of the invention the system was provided as toaccommodate reproduction of charts up to 18" or 19" in width althoughwider strips may be accommodated by a system of wider basic design. Theheating elements 184-188 were of the type available from the Edin L.Wiegand Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and identified asCromalox-Far Infra Red Elements. They were nominally of diameter and27%" in length. The drum 160 was of aluminum and was about 28 in lengthand 8" in diameter. The guide rolls 172 and 173 of about 1%" diameterwere mounted on /2" shafts to form a cradle for facilitating penetrationof the drying roll from its normal latched position into the treatingzone. The proportional timing mechanism 350 was of the type availablefrom Zenith Electric Company, 152 W. Walton Street, Chicago 10,Illinois, and identified as No. L"P30'SProcess Timer. The tanks 26-30were approximately 28 high. The ends were approximately wide and thesides had a width of approximately 20". On the ends of the tanks theguides 81 and 82 were formed as a part of the tank, the latter being ofextruded plastic. Submerging rolls were of 1" diameter except for therolls 2 6a and 260, the latter being /1" diameter for reduced weight inthe first zone. Other components of the system were selected as tocooperate with the elements above more particularly described.

It will now be appreciated that modifications may be made in the systemdescribed without departing from the scope of the invention. Instead ofOn-Oii control of motors 3235 and 42, speeds above and below the normalspeed of a preceding motor may be effected to accomplish the desiredproportioning action. While 1:1 or one-half size operations have beendescribed, other ratios may be produced or full size width together witha varied length ratio may characterize the reproduction by varying thespeed of the photographic negative relative to the speed of the positivein the camera section. The physical condition inherent in magneticattraction is embodied in the switching systems above described forsensing the submerging roll position. Such means was employed because ofits simplicity. However, fixed coils may be utilized in place of theelements 89c and 89d together with a suitable amplifying and switchingsystem as to be responsive to minute voltages generated therein as themagnet in element 84, FIG. 2, moves past each respective coil. Thelatter type systems are well known to those skilled in the art and aretherefore not described in detail. Alternatively, other physicalconditions may be employed such as low level radiant energy sourcesinso- 'far as such radiation would not deleteriously afieot thephotographic processes. Suitably shielded radioactive sources anddetector systems may thus be employed.

Uses for the system other than a photographic process may convenientlybe carried out by the system of the type here described. However, it ismost readily adaptable to photographic processes and has for that reasonbeen described as applied thereto. Five heating elements have been shownin FIG. 6 but more or less than this number may be employed. Seven suchelements were utilized in one embodiment of the invention. These andother modifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic developer for an elongated photographic strip whichcomprises a treating tank, a primary drive for introducing said stripinto said tank, an auxilliary drive for extracting said strip from saidtank, means for energizing said primary drive, a roller supported bysaid strip in said tank, control means movable in said tank with saidroller, sensing means at each of three positions outside said tankadjacent the path of said control means for sensing the position of saidcontrol means and operable when said roller is at the deepest of saidthree positions for energizing via a first control path said auxilliarydrive and for de-energizing the same at the intermediate of said threepositions, separate means for energizing said auxilliary drive means viaa second control path, and means responsive to arrival of said roller atthe shallowest of said three positions for discontinuing energization ofsaid auxilliary drive means via said second control path.

2. in an automatic developing system having a structure forming atreating zone, the combination which comprises a first drive for feedinga flexible elongated strip into said zone, a second drive for extractingsaid strip from said zone, a power source, a multi-terminal switchconnected to said power source having one terminal connected to saidfirst drive, a first control circuit leading from a second terminal ofsaid switch to said second drive, a second control circuit extendingbetween said source and said second drive, a roller adapted to urge saidstrip into said zone, switch means in said second control circuitoutside said zone and adjacent the path of said roller and adapted to beclosed and opened in response to movement of said roller at pointswithin said zone, and switch means in said first control circuit outsidesaid zone and adjacent the path of said roller and adapted to be closedin response to movement of said roller into said zone and to be openedin response to movement of said roller out of said zone.

3. In an automatic developing system, the combination which comprises anon-magnetic tank forming a treating zone, a first drive for feeding anelongated film strip into said tank, a second drive for extracting saidstrip from said tank, a power source, a multi-terminal switch connectionto said power source having one terminal connection to said first drive,a first control circuit leading from a second terminal of said switch tosaid second drive, a second control circuit extending between saidsource and said second drive, a gravity roller supported by said stripadapted to urge said strip into said tank, magnetic means carried bysaid roller adjacent the side of said tank, switching means in saidsecond circuit outside said tank and adapted to be actuated by passageof said magnetic means past spaced points adjacent the bottom of saidtank for de-energizing and energizing said second drive in response topositioning of said roller at an intermediate depth and at a greaterdepth respectively in said tank, and switch means in said first controlcircuit outside said tank and adjacent the path of said magnetic meansadapted to de-energize said second drive in response to positioning ofsaid magnetic means at a shallow depth in said tank.

4. An automatic treating system for an elongated flexible strip whichcomprises structure which forms a treating zone, a primary drive forintroducing said strip into said zone, an auxiliary drive for extractingsaid strip iirom said zone, means for energizing said primary drive, aroller supported by said strip in said zone, control means movable insaid zone with said roller, sensing means in each of three positionsoutside said zone adjacent the path of said control means for sensingthe position of said control means and operable when said roller is atthe deepest of said three positions in said zone for energizing via afirst control path said auxiliary drive and for deenergizing the same atthe intermediate of said three positions, separate means for energizingsaid auxiliary drive means via a second control path, and meansresponsive to arrival of said roller at the shallowest of said threepositions for discontinuing energization of said auxiliary drive meansvia said second control path.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,653,451 De Ybarrondo Dec. 20, 1927 1,664,735 Capstatf Apr. 3, 19281,679,239 Cassereau July 31, 1928 1,686,907 Fairall Oct. 9, 19281,759,092 Caps May 20, 1930 1,763,629 Hopkins June 10, 1930 1,846,075Aller et al. Feb. 23, 1932 2,048,182 De Ybarrondo July 21, 19362,202,127 Tondreau May 28, 1941 2,292,511 Ferm Aug. 11, 1942 2,568,431Congdon Sept. 18, 1951 2,681,802 Vermeulen et al. June 22, 1954

